Movies Under the Moonlight

Summer outdoor movies were once a rarity in Las Vegas. During the 1990s and early 2000s, there simply weren’t enough suitable places to show them and locals were disinclined to go, y’know, outside. But today, we have a number of terrific outdoor venues including two Downtown locations at Container Park and Huntridge Circle Park. Each of them offers a lineup of (mostly) family-friendly films. And each are free—all you need to bring is a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. And the best part? No one will tell you to stop texting during the movie, even though they freaking should.

Cinema in the Circle at Huntridge Circle Park

Outdoor movie screenings in Downtown’s Huntridge neighborhood aren’t just about the free movies. Past events have included dress-up components—a screening of The Great Gatsby (1974) saw locals decked out in their Roaring ’20s finest—and people bring their dogs and bicycles. Cinema in the Circle is scheduled to begin on the second Friday of June and continue on every second Friday through October. The 2016 schedule is being finalized; check Cinema in the Circle’s Facebook page for updates. Screenings begin at dusk and are generally all-ages. (Facebook.com/CinemaInTheCircle)

Family Movie Night at Downtown Container Park

The advantages to seeing an outdoor movie at Container Park should speak loudly to legal-age adults: You can easily watch the movie from the patios of Bin 702 and Oak & Ivy. (Container Park’s sprawling playground is also within sight of the bars.) Season highlights include Enchanted (May 19), Lilo & Stitch (June 2),Avengers: Age of Ultron (June 23), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July 14) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (August 4). Movies begin at sunset and there’s no cover (but the cocktails aren’t free). (DowntownContainerPark.com)